Razorback Athletics Launches New Official Digital Platforms

Razorback Athletics Launches New Official Digital Platforms

The new collection of multi-platform digital products was designed by SportsLabs, as part of the first comprehensive partnership of its kind between the technology leader and an intercollegiate athletics program.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A new innovative approach to strategic communications within intercollegiate athletics will be introduced on Friday as the University of Arkansas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in partnership with SportsLabs, launch the new-look ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM and a host of leading digital products including a new suite of mobile applications. Beginning at Midnight, a countdown clock will be at ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM with the new website going live at Noon CT on Friday.

The new collection of multi-platform digital products was designed by SportsLabs, as part of the first comprehensive partnership of its kind between the technology leader and an intercollegiate athletics program.

The digital platforms were designed based on feedback and goals identified through various strategic planning sessions with Razorback coaches and members of the department’s leadership team. The primary focus of the new digital platforms is to serve as a major tool in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, dynamically showcasing all aspects of Razorbacks Athletics, the University of Arkansas and the entire state of Arkansas.

Visitors to the site and mobile applications will see larger and better quality images, HD videos and streamlined presentations of text and historical information. The new responsive design was developed with an innovative and mobile-first approach. Fans will have 24-hour access to the Razorbacks across a full list of browsers and devices, allowing one of the nation’s largest and most passionate followings to watch, listen and engage with the Razorbacks all for FREE.

The new ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM's unique and mobile-friendly design allows for a seamless transition for users to different platforms when getting the latest information on the Razorbacks. With original content added throughout the day, including targeted release times of at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the new ARKANSASRAZORBACKS.COM will provide industry-first unique features including as a roster card view, search filtering on rosters, video playback on any device and swipe navigation on a phone and tablet.

In addition to the best-in-class web, Razorback fans can download two different FREE mobile applications, available on iPhones, iPads and Android Smartphones, enabling access to all sports, live audio and real-time social streams.

”The impact of these digital platforms are critical, as they are global and help form the first impressions prospective student-athletes have of our program, our university and even our entire state,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “Our comprehensive partnership with SportsLabs will elevate our strategic communications to a new level and will allow for the continued evolvement of these platforms based on feedback from our coaches, student-athletes, recruits, as well as Razorback fans.”

“The University of Arkansas has a clear and aggressive digital strategy that we are excited to execute against as we all work to serve Razorback fans and future athletes,” said John Burris, President of SportsLabs. “The University of Arkansas and SportsLabs want to change the way fans, schools and partners engage and view digital platforms through a new and consistent investment in these experiences – together we will disrupt the traditional thinking in the digital college sports space.”

Arkansas Razorbacks Official App

The all-new Official Arkansas Razorbacks “Official” application serves all sports and provides inside access to your favorite Razorbacks team. With FREE LIVE AUDIO via RSN: Razorback Sports Network, video highlights, the latest news, scores & stats, rosters and schedules, alerts, the Arkansas Razorbacks application is a must-have. This app will be available for download on August 1, 2014 from both the iTunes and Google Play stores.

Arkansas Razorbacks Gameday AppThe all-new official Arkansas Razorbacks “Gameday” application is a must-have for Razorbacks Football, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball and Baseball fans. With FREE LIVE AUDIO via RSN: Razorback Sports Network, interactive social media, interactive stadium maps, fan guides and all the scores and stats surrounding the game, the Arkansas Razorbacks Gameday application if your digital Gameday guide so you can focus on “Calling the Hogs!” This app will be available for download on August 22, 2014 from both the iTunes and Google Play stores.

Both the new web site and the new mobile applications will provide Razorback fans unrivaled access to:

STATE OF THE ART HD VIDEO: RSN: Razorback Sports Network will produce daily HD content featuring all 19 Razorback sports From game previews and recaps, to coaches shows, long form features and documentaries, this is the place for the best in video coverage of the Razorbacks.

FREE-TO-USER LIVE GAME AUDIO: For the first time RSN: Razorback Sports Network play-by-play and coaches shows will be available free to users around the world, across all digital platforms;

RESPONSIVE SITE DESIGN: The one-of-a-kind layout will showcase content in a consistent, streamlined, and user-centric presentation across desktop & mobile devices;

DEEP INTEGRATION: Users will enjoy myriad social media, dynamic ticketing, and sport-specific merchandising opportunities throughout the new Razorback digital experience;

Supported Devices

· iOS 6.0.x and above

· iPad 2 and above

· iPhone 4 and above

· Android 4.0.x and above

Supported Devices

· IE 10, 11 (latest version)

· Chrome (latest version)

· Firefox (latest version)

· Safari (latest version)

About SportsLabs

SportsLabs (www.sportslabs.com) is a leading sports technology providers.. At the core of the SportsLabs’ technology is its proprietary Advanced Media Platform (AMP) which streams more audio/video content to more platforms than any other college sports provider. AMP for Sports also ingests content from across the sports and media landscapes, normalizes that content and then presents it to fans on any digital device and platform in the market. SportsLabs is a Silver Chalice company, the high-growth venture arm of the Chicago White Sox.

Copyright 2014 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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